Usage Note: According to the traditional rule, neither is used only to mean "not one or the other of two." To refer to "none of several," none is preferred: None (not neither) of the three opposition candidates would make a better president than the incumbent. · The traditional rule also holds that neither is grammatically singular: Neither candidate is having an easy time with the press. However, it is often used with a plural verb, especially when followed by of and a plural: Neither of the candidates are really expressing their own views. · As a conjunction neither is properly followed by nor, not or, in formal style: Neither prayers nor curses (not or curses) did any good. See Usage Notes at either, every, he1, none, nor1, or1.

neither

(ˈnaɪðə; ˈniːðə)

determiner

a. not one nor the other (of two); not either: neither foot is swollen.

[C13 (literally, ne either not either): changed from Old English nāwther, from nāhwæther, from nā not + hwæther which of two; see whether]

Usage: A verb following a compound subject that uses neither… should be in the singular if both subjects are in the singular: neither Jack nor John has done the work

nei•ther

(ˈni ðər, ˈnaɪ-)

conj.

1. not either, as of persons or things specified (usu. fol. by nor): Neither John nor Betty is at home.

2. nor; nor yet; no more: Bob can't go; neither can I.

adj.

3. not either; not the one or the other: neither path.

pron.

4. not either; not one person or the other; not one thing or the other: Neither is to be trusted. Neither of the keys fits the lock.

[1150–1200; Middle English, =ne not + either either; replacing Middle English nawther, Old English nāwther, nāhwæther (nā not, no1 + hwæther which of two; see whether)]

usage: When neither, a singular form, is followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object, there is a tendency, esp. in speech and less formal writing, to use a plural verb and pronoun: Neither of the guards were at their stations. In edited writing, however, singular verbs and pronouns are more common: Neither of the guards was at his station. This use of a singular verb and pronoun is usually recommended by usage guides. Subjects connected by neither…nor take singular verbs and pronouns when both subjects are singular, plural when both are plural. Usage guides commonly say that when a singular and a plural subject are joined by these correlatives, the subject nearer the verb determines the verb: Neither the mayor nor the demonstrators have yielded. Neither the demonstrators nor the mayor has yielded. Practice varies, however, and often the presence of one plural subject, no matter what its position, results in a plural verb.

neither

1. 'neither' and 'neither of'

You use neither or neither of to make a negative statement about two people or things. You use neither in front of the singular form of a countable noun. You use neither of in front of a plural pronoun or a plural noun phrase beginning with the, these, those, or a possessive.

So, for example, you can say 'Neither child was hurt' or 'Neither of the children was hurt'. There is no difference in meaning.

Neither man spoke or moved.

Neither of them spoke for several moments.

Be Careful!Don't use 'neither' without of in front of a plural form. Don't say, for example, 'Neither the children was hurt'. Also, don't use 'not' after neither. Don't say, for example, 'Neither of the children wasn't hurt'.

People sometimes use a plural form of a verb after neither of and a noun phrase. For example, they say 'Neither of the children were hurt'.

Neither of them are students.

Neither of them were listening.

This use is acceptable in conversation and in less formal writing, but in formal writing you should always use a singular form of a verb after neither of.

2. 'neither' in replies

When a negative statement has been made, you can use neither to show that this statement also applies to another person or thing. You put neither at the beginning of the clause, followed by an auxiliary verb, a modal, or be, then the subject. You can also use nor in the same way with the same meaning.

It was in this scene of strife and bloodshed that the incidents we shall attempt to relate occurred, during the third year of the war which England and France last waged for the possession of a country that neither was destined to retain.

And so, as king of the country, apprehended the said Mr Allan, and carried him to the house of Denure, where for a season he was honourably treated, (gif a prisoner can think any entertainment pleasing;) but after that certain days were spent, and that the Earl could not obtain the feus of Crossraguel according to his awin appetite, he determined to prove gif a collation could work that which neither dinner nor supper could do for a long time.

They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances of wonder; neither indeed was I much in their debt, having never till then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits, and countenances.

That it will be a federal and not a national act, as these terms are understood by the objectors; the act of the people, as forming so many independent States, not as forming one aggregate nation, is obvious from this single consideration, that it is to result neither from the decision of a MAJORITY of the people of the Union, nor from that of a MAJORITY of the States.

It follows plainly, in the first place, that the change, of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity: for this moves neither pity nor fear; it merely shocks us.

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